Short answer: the JBL Xtreme 3 for better sound quality, the Bose SoundLink Plus for the lower price. The JBL Xtreme 3 ranks #18 of 77 large speakers at $209.12. The Bose SoundLink Plus ranks #22 at $199, $10.12 cheaper.
On the JBL Xtreme 3 side: Better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2. Set against that: Boosted bass.
The case for the Bose SoundLink Plus: IP67 rated, IP67 water/dustproof. The tradeoff: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.
Buy the JBL Xtreme 3 if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Bose SoundLink Plus if the price matters more than sound quality.
Specifications Side By Side
| JBL Xtreme 3 | Bose SoundLink Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $209.12 | $199.00 |
| Ranked | #18 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers | #22 of 77 in Large Size Portable Bluetooth Speakers |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz | - |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms | - |
| Max Volume | 105dB | - |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes | Yes |
| Omnidirectional | No | No |
| TWS | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg |
| App | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC |
| Built in Microphone | Yes | No |
| EQ | No | No |
| IP Rating | IPX7 | IP67 |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) | 9.1" x 3.9" x 3.4" (231 x 99 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters | 1x 2.5" (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78" (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Output Power | 100W | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Digital Aux Input | No | No |
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The Two Speakers In Full
JBL Xtreme 3: $209.12 Amazon
Pros: Better treble and deeper bass than the Xtreme 2. More balanced sounding than the Xtreme 4
Cons: Boosted bass. Not as deep bass as better speakers. Not as balanced as better speakers.
Full JBL Xtreme 3 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53Hz |
| Battery Life | 15 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Latency | 133ms |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.1 |
| Built in Microphone | Yes |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.7" x 5.4" x 5.3" (298 x 136 x 134 mm) |
| Drivers | 2x 70mm woofers, 2x 20mm tweeters |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 53.5Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| IP Rating | IPX7 |
| Max Volume | 105dB |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | 100W |
| Party Mode | Yes (PartyBoost up to 100 speakers) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-A + USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 4 lbs / 1.83 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Mateusz Cholewa: TRIBIT StormBox LAVA - Unboxing.📦 Short Test vs Xtreme 4
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Sony XB43 - boombox champ?
- Alan Ross Reviews: Soundcore Motion Boom vs JBL Xtreme 3 LG PN7 & Minirig mk3 💯👍
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs JBL Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1 - review and sound test
- Alan Ross Reviews: Anker Soundcore Motion Boom Plus vs JBL Xtreme 3 - Extreme review!
- DLX Willington: Who Sounds The Best Of Sony XG300, XB43 & JBL XTREME3 With Sound Sample BLIND CHALLENGE Reveal.
- New Stuff TV: Sony SRS-XG300 Vs JBL Xtreme 3
- Alan Ross Reviews: W-King X10 vs JBL Xtreme 3, Xtreme 2 and Xtreme 1! Xtreme Review 🤓
- Smart Home Sounds: Best Premium Bluetooth Speakers: Sonos Move, JBL Xtreme 3, Marshall Middleton & More…
- Dominik Reviews: JBL Xtreme 4 vs JBL Xtreme 3 Sound Test 😍 Best upgrade in the history? 😂
- Audio Inside Scoop: Klipsch Detroit VS JBL Xtreme 3 Hear With Me!!
- GYMCADDY: JBL Xtreme 3 Vs Sony XG300 - Its Not Even Close
- Alan Ross Reviews: JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom vs Rave Neo - Boombox Battle!
- Jay’s Straight Up Reviews & More: Ortizan M8🦨 Bluetooth Speaker. Is This The Budget JBL Xtreme 3 Killer? Better Than Zealot S67?
- Danny Pops: It’s shaped like a Football - JBL Xtreme 3 Review vs Marshall Tufton and Flips Party Mode
- Reddit Search for JBL Xtreme 3 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion X600
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Bose SoundLink Max
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Select Pro
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Soundcore Motion Boom
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs onn Portable FM Boombox
- JBL Xtreme 3 vs Harman Kardon Citation 200
- See all 27 comparisons
Bose SoundLink Plus: $199.00 Amazon
Pros: IP67 rated, IP67 water/dustproof. Close to 20 hour battery life. Vibrant sound with booming bass, clean mids. Bluetooth 5.4 with good range. Premium tactile grille, smooth silicone. Quality build at $269.
Cons: Boosted thuddy bass, but not as deep as the SoundLink Flex and you should probably just buy one of those instead if you want a Bose.
Full Bose SoundLink Plus review and specifications →
| App | Yes |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Battery Life | 20 hours (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Built in Microphone | No |
| Digital Aux Input | No |
| Dimensions | 9.1" x 3.9" x 3.4" (231 x 99 x 86 mm) |
| Drivers | 1x 2.5" (63.5mm) woofer + 1x ~0.78" (20mm) tweeter + 4x passive radiators |
| EQ | No |
| IP Rating | IP67 |
| Omnidirectional | No |
| Output Power | Specs not published by manufacturer |
| Party Mode | Yes (Bose Party mode) |
| Power Bank | Yes (USB-C) |
| Power Input | USB-C |
| Stereo | Yes |
| TWS | Yes |
| Weight | 3.3 lbs / 1.5 kg |
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Soundcore Motion X500
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Soundcore Rave Neo 2
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Soundcore Motion X600
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Sonos Move 2
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Bose SoundLink Max
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Sonos Move
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs Marshall Middleton II
- Bose SoundLink Plus vs B&O Beoplay A2 active
- See all 20 comparisons